Assistant national police chief Pol Lt Gen Ruangsak Charitek said officers would take "decisive action" against motorists including drivers of public buses, vans and taxis who park at stop signs or bus stops in front of major shopping malls and markets.

Traffic police also intend to strictly enforce the law against drivers who stop or park vehicles so that they obtruct, block or impede traffic and cause traffic jams. Violators are subject to paying a fine of 500 baht .

Police measures will continue along with the threat of towing vehicles, a new step taken recently to try to enforced laws and help to solve traffic problems in the capital.

Pol Lt Gen Ruangsak said the policy was initially implemented on 10 heavily congested spots and would expand to 45 other areas with similar traffic problems within the next three months. Improvements would be assessed after 15 days, he added.